Gophers Edged by Juniata on Senior Night

TOWSON, Md. -  Visiting Juniata used a late run to post a 50-44 triumph over Goucher College in Landmark Conference women's basketball Wednesday evening at the Decker Sports and Recreation Center.

• Senior Shelby Apostol (Oxnard, Calif./Saint Bonaventure), starting and playing for the first time on Senior Night, scored off the opening tap for Goucher (1-20, 0-13 Landmark).
• After Juniata (6-16, 2-10) forced two ties, the Gophers took a 9-4 lead on an Alayna McFadden (Silver Spring, Md./Montgomery Blair) basket just over four minutes in.
• A 7-0 Gopher run capped by a three by Julia Cavoli (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) put the hosts in front 18-9 with just over two minutes left in the opening frame.
• Goucher led 20-12 after one quarter.

• After an early Juniata basket, a three by Briyah Haggins (Waldorf, Md./Westlake) 1:35 into the second made it 23-14.
• Goucher took its largest lead of the first half, 26-16, on a McFadden free throw 4:13 before halftime.
• The Eagles closed the half on a 7-2 run and pulled within five, 28-23, at intermission.

• Goucher opened on a 6-0 run and a three by Haggins made it 34-23 1:29 into the second half.
• Juniata got within six, 36-30, at the 4:09 mark before a Serrena Gonzales (Surprise, Ariz./Peoria) jumper put the lead back to eight with 3:45 left.
• The Gophers carried a 40-32 lead into the final frame.

• The Eagles opened the fourth on a 7-0 run to pull within one, 40-39, with 5:18 on the clock.
• Two free throws by Kyani Quarles (Houston, Texas/Cristo Rey Jesuit) with 4:53 left stopped the Juniata run.
• Juniata took its first lead, 45-43, with 2:07 remaining.
• After two straight empty trips by the Gophers, Juniata converted two free throws to make it 47-43 with 56 seconds to play.
• The guests went 5-6 at the line in the final minute to seal the victory.

• All nine players who saw the floor for Goucher scored.
• Haggins led Goucher with 11 points, making all three of her three-point attempts.  She also grabbed five rebounds.
• McFadden finished with nine points and seven rebounds, while Quarles added seven points and seven boards.
• Goucher shot 69% in the opening quarter and 31.5% for the game, while it was 4-12 behind the arc and 6-12 from the free throw line.
• Juniata, which outrebounded Goucher 42-37, shot 34.5% overall, 3-14 from long range and 9-12 at the stripe.
• Before the game, seniors Apostol, McFadden and senior manager Alexis Adkins were recognized in Senior Night ceremonies.

WBB | Senior Shelby Apostol, playing on Senior Night for the first time all season, scores off the opening tap for @GoucherWBB!#d3hoops #GopherGreatness pic.twitter.com/ViMx9lEdrw

— Goucher Gophers (@GoucherSports) February 17, 2022

• Goucher closes out its season on Saturday, traveling to Drew for a 4 pm Landmark Conference contest.